Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 7:00 PM ET at Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Game Rewind: Pacers 93, Hawks 101, Game 1

Scott Agness | April 19, 2014

Game Recap

The Pacers were hoping for a clean slate and opening up at home was just what they needed to start the playoffs on the right note. They stayed even through the first half, but gave up two third-quarter runs that were too much to over come.

13 days ago, the Atlanta Hawks came into Bankers Life Fieldhouse and leveled the Pacers by 19 points. That should’ve been motivation enough. But the Pacers struggled slowing Indy native Jeff Teague and forward Paul Millsap, both of whom put up at least 25 points. Not even a sold-out crowd dressed in "Gold Out" attire could will the team to victory on this night.

Final: Hawks 101, Pacers 93 — and the game was not as close as the score indicates. The Hawks stole one on Indiana’s floor and have taken a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven First Round matchup.

The teams each made pushes in the early going as they felt each other out. The Hawks answered a 7-2 start by the Pacers with a 16-2 run to jump ahead by nine points. They were active on the glass, pulling down five offensive boards leading to 10 second-chance points just 12 minutes in. Pacers backup point guard C.J. Watson drained a 3-pointer to end the period and trim the Hawks’ lead to six.

Lance Stephenson gave the Pacers a boost early in the second period, scoring on three straight possessions — part of an 8-2 spurt that evened the game at 30. A few minutes later, Paul George got it done from all over: a layup, a 3-pointer and a pair of fouls shots as he scored 11 of the team’s next 13 points, which pushed Indiana ahead by six. Just before the half wound down, George dribbled too much and lost the handle, leading to a rebound putback by Kyle Korver just before the horn sounded. The Hawks’ 7-1 run closed the gap and knotted the contest up at 50.

In the second half, Atlanta scored the first eight points and then piled on 14 straight to balloon their lead to 16 with four minutes left in the period. Guard Jeff Teague, who George said has “elite speed,” accounted for nine of them, and scored 14 of his game-high 28 points in the period. The Pacers’ offense buckled, with seven turnovers to just five field goals. And after leading the NBA in third-quarter efficiency for much of the season, they were outscored by 14 points and their frustration was evident in their body language.

The Pacers struggled to stay in front of Teague, and fouled too frequently — sending the Hawks to the line 18 times in the second half. Indiana made a late push, getting to within eight points on back-to-back shots from deep, with 33.6 seconds left.

Coach Frank Vogel and the Pacers now have two days between games to watch film, get things cleaned up and makes tweaks for Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Inside the Numbers

Paul George led the Pacers in points (24), rebounds (10), and assists (five), as he recorded his eighth career postseason double-double Lance Stephenson had 19 points and George Hill chipped in 12.

Indiana’s power forwards, David West and Luis Scola, contributed a combined 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting. It was Scola’s first career playoff game without a field goal.

Taking care of the ball remains a problem for the Pacers. They turned it over 17 times leading to 25 points for the Hawks.

The Hawks made 11 3-point shots, just above their season average against the Pacers. They were one attempt shy (30) of their postseason franchise record.

Quoteworthy

“We got to be able to guard these guys without marching them to the free throw line. They’re the fourth-best free throw shooting team in the NBA. … If we’re just going to march them to the free throw line, it’s going to be a long series for us so we got to do a better job of having discipline on that end.” – Frank Vogel

“I know this team is a challenge to beat for us. I’m a little surprised we didn’t play better. I didn’t think we didn’t play hard. We got to be sharper with our coverages and we got to move the ball better.”- Frank Vogel

“They did a great of attacking off the bounce and that just triggered so many other stuff where they’re making threes. I think we’re fine once we cut out and find a way to eliminate them from spreading us out and do a better job of containing guys.” – Paul George

“We just have to get certain guys under control as a team. I’m sure we’ll looking over film and if I’m the main culprit in terms of being the weak link on defense because they have a spread-5 like, I guess we’ll just have to adjust.” – Roy Hibbert

“We have to do a better job when we get the ball in the paint. We have to make them guard. I thought our guards carried us, they were aggressive.” – David West

Stat of the Game

The Hawks attempted 29 free throws and hit 24 — eight more than the Pacers, who went 16-of-23.

Noteworthy

With the victory, Atlanta picked up its third playoff road win against the Pacers in 14 tries. In each of their last five clashes in the postseason, the team that won Game 1 took the series.

A double technical foul was called on David West and Pero Antic in the third quarter.

The Pacers wore their gold uniforms to complete the "Gold Out," as every fan in attendance was given a gold playoff t-shirt.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who was in Toronto earlier in the day, attended the game.

Up Next

The Pacers host the Hawks for Game 2 on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. ET. Game Preview »